There is much discussion today concerning the fact of church
succession, specifically how that succession occurs. Some see the view
teaching that all true churches come from other true established
churches. Some men do not see the necessity of one established church
starting another new church. It is the belief of this author, that there
is only one way to scripturally start a new church, and that is by the
authority of an existing true New Testament Baptist church. I believe
that if the Word of God was approached sincerely, and prayerfully, there
would be no controversy over the one and only pattern that is given in
God's Word. It is sad to say, but I fear too many good men have let the
beliefs and practices of some misguided men, both of today and days gone
by, lead them away from the Word of God. Today we need men that will
stand for the Word of God, and not be swayed by those who do not have a
clear understanding of the Bible, or even worse, are knowingly and
willfully ignoring God's Holy Word. When I hear things like, "these
are just traditional additionals" I wonder what biblical tradition
will fall next. I have even had men tell me that they saw the biblical
pattern of one church starting another church, but that it was not
absolutely essential for churches to be started that way today. How sad!
I believe that if a person will honestly and prayerfully read this
article, and along with it study the Word of God, the truth about the
one true biblical pattern will clearly be seen. I also believe that if a
biblical pattern is clearly present, we have an obligation before God to
follow it exclusively. After all, Landmark Baptists have always claimed
that the Bible was their final rule for faith and practice. I believe
that it is high time for us to stand up and practice what the Bible
teaches!

I. The Fact of Church Succession

Matt. 16:18-19, "And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter,
and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall
not prevail against it. (19) And I will give unto thee the keys of the
kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be
bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be
loosed in heaven." First, we know the Rock is Christ. Note the same
Greek word, "petra", in 1Cor. 10:4 (b), "...they drank of
that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ".
Clearly Peter was not the true Rock, Christ is!

Secondly, we can see that the word "build" means "to
build up"; "the act of building up", the thought of it is
"an ongoing process". Ongoing is His church to this very day!
Next, let's look at the phrase, "and I will give unto thee the keys
..." Some want to deny that there is any reference to power or
authority there, but Strong says; "denotes power & authority of
various kinds". It should be clear to the reader that Christ did
not give [away] His power and authority, but rather told His church to
operate under His power and authority. The next phrase we need to look
at is, "the Gates of hell shall not prevail against it", note
that it's the church that is on the offense. The church is to be going
out and spreading the truth, and the gates of hell will never prevail
against it! Also, the "gates of hell" is a picture of death.
Now we understand that "death cannot prevail against it", thus
the death of the apostles cannot prevent the perpetuity of the church.

This proves that the promise of perpetuity was given to the church,
not to a group of men. Clearly we see the perpetuity is in the CHURCH,
not the design of the church. This means that any other true church must
come from the original church, and not just a copy of the design. This
should be easy for us to relate to as human beings. For my family name
to have perpetuity, I must have some descendants that come from me, not
just a copy of my appearance.

The next verse we need to examine is Matt. 28:16-20, "Then the
eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had
appointed them. (17) And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but
some doubted. (18) And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power
is given unto me in heaven and in earth. (19) Go ye therefore, and teach
all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Ghost: (20) Teaching them to observe all things
whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto
the end of the world. Amen." The first observation here is that the
eleven disciples are the church, note: 1Cor. 12:28, "And God hath
set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly
teachers..." Christ had the Authority to send the church, and He
did, into "all nations" (vs 19). They were commissioned to go,
to teach, and to baptize; clearly these things are the work of the
church. We, as the Lord's true New Testament Baptist churches, are to be
going, and going under Christ's authority! It is obvious that no one
church could go into all of the world, but from the one true church that
the LORD started, other true churches could be established. Remember,
because the Lord promised perpetuity to HIS church, all other true
churches must come from HIS church!

Still, some try to question the extent of the "authority"
of the local church to start other new churches. We saw Matt. 16:19 and
Matt. 28:18-19, and now look at Mark 13:34, "For the Son of man is
as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to
his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to
watch". This is clear proof that Christ "gave" His
servants, (members of the church) the "authority" to operate,
and carry out the great commission. To say that "His servants"
in the passage above, has reference to only pastors, seems to be out of
order. It is by the authority of the church that pastors are
scripturally ordained. I personally believe the one who we see as
representing the pastor in the verse currently in consideration here is
the "porter", for he is commanded to watch. Look at Heb.13:17,
"Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for
they watch for your souls, as they that must give account". The
context of Heb.13 clearly teaches this to be the pastor.

At least one more passage is needed to be examined that we may see a
clear picture of this power and authority. Acts 1:8, "But ye shall
receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall
be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in
Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." Again, we see
that the LORD said, "and ye shall be witnesses...unto the uttermost
part of the earth". The only logical way for this one church to be
a witness to the "uttermost part of the earth", is to
establish other churches in other areas from the first church! Just so
that we are all clear about the extent of this "power", we
will note the definition according to Strong; "strength, power,
ability". Apart from Almighty God, no church has the strength,
power, or ability to do anything scriptural or lasting. Thus when men
operate on their own, apart from the church and its power, it too is
unscriptural and will not last.

Through the previous scriptures we should be able to clearly see that
the ultimate goal of the Lord's church is reproduction! (John 15:16) Let
us now look and see the biblical pattern for this reproduction,
"like begets like".....

II. The Act of Church Succession

First, let us note when our Lord told them not to go, Luke 24:49,
"And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry
ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on
high." We see here the church was not to go in its own power! No
power means not ready and not able to go start another church! The power
and authority was given to Christ's church, and apart from this, no one
should be going. Oh that ALL men would see this today! After this power
which was given from on high, on the day of Pentecost, we see the Church
"going". When the church at Jerusalem heard of the believers
at Antioch, we see them sending Barnabas to Antioch in Acts 11:21-22,
"And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number
believed, and turned unto the Lord (22) Then tidings of these things
came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent
forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch." The first
thing we should notice is that vs. 21 says that they "believed, and
turned unto the Lord", not that they were added to the church, for
there was no church yet here at Antioch. Compare this statement then to
the one made about the church at Jerusalem back in Acts 2:47,
"Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord
added to the church daily such as should be saved." When there was
a church in the area and people were saved, the Lord added them to that
local Church! It is clear that this group at Antioch was not called a
church, nor functioned like a church, until after Barnabas was sent
there from the church at Jerusalem. Then we read in Acts 11:26
"they assembled themselves with the church, and taught...." At
this point in our study we must notice the word "sent".
According to Strong; to send forth, send away . Now notice
"sent" in Rom. 10:15 (a),... And how shall they preach, except
they be sent?

The question that should cause us to think is, "sent by
Who?" We would say, "by the Holy Spirit" of course. Any
true preacher of the Word of God will acknowledge only the Spirit of God
as the "sender". When we look into God's Word we clearly see
that the Holy Spirit always "sends" His preachers out of His
church. Note the pattern in the Word of God, Acts 13:1-4, "Now
there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and
teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of
Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch,
and Saul. (2) As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost
said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called
them. (3) And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on
them, they sent them away. (4) So they, being sent forth by the Holy
Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to
Cyprus".

Clearly we see that the Holy Spirit sent Barnabas and Saul out of one
of His true churches. We go on to note that Barnabas and Saul were
working in that local church. Next we see that they were sent, not of
the church alone, nor apart from the church, but rather the Holy Spirit
led them and the church, causing the end result. Certain men being sent
from a certain church led to a certain place! Vertical leading of God,
resulting in the horizontal work of men through the church. We can also
see the church at Antioch as the sending church, and as having authority
by observing that Barnabas and Paul came back to Antioch to give a
report to the church.

We should note their message when they returned; Acts 14:26-27,
"And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been
recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled. (27)
And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they
rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the
door of faith unto the Gentiles". Let's look at the word
"fulfilled": According to Strong;"to make full,; to cause
to abound, to furnish or supply liberally ; to render full, i.e.
complete; fill to the top: so that nothing shall be wanting to full
measure".

Now we must ask, was all of the work of the gospel done, or
fulfilled? Had they talked to everybody in the areas they went to? Was
everybody saved where they went? This would seem very unlikely. What
then had been fulfilled, completed, or furnished? The churches that they
started! They had proper organization and beginning by the authority of
the church at Antioch, which Barnabas and Paul had passed on to them
while on their missionary trip.

God's pattern is clear, Jerusalem sent men to Antioch, and Antioch
sent men to..., and so forth! Each individual local church may differ on
the procedural details of how this business is conducted, but one thing
that cannot be eliminated is the necessity of the new church being
established through the authority of an existing church. With as clear
of a pattern as we see in God's Word concerning how church work is to be
done, some would ask, "why would anybody try to do God's work apart
from God's pattern?" We will at this time try to answer this
question, and many more common questions to this subject.

III. Misc. Questions Answered

Q. Since we can see it as the Biblical
pattern, why would men try to "start" churches differently?

A. A
disgruntled group of people (because of being scripturally disciplined
from a church, and can't get proper authority), may try to
"start" their own "church". Acts 20:30, " Also
of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw
away disciples after them."

Q. How was this succession possible during
persecution?

A. GOD is
able to work out the details! (Acts ch. 8-11) Whenever I hear this
question, I always think, "My God is big enough to handle it,
apparently yours is not". My God is bigger than circumstances, also
He is able to cause a group to wait for this proper authority to
organize.

Q. I see the basic pattern in the Word of
God, but how can we limit God to that one way?

A.1 Multiple ways would be very confusing, God is not the author of
confusion. 1Cor.14:33, "For God is not the author of confusion, but
of peace...."

A.2 If we
find a pattern for a course of action on any given subject, and then
choose to operate in our own methods, we are adding to the Word of God.
This is a terrible place to be! Rev. 22:18-19, "For I testify unto
every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any
man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that
are written in this book: (19) And if any man shall take away from the
words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of
the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which
are written in this book."

Q. Doesn't it bother you that many men of
our day think this position is based only on tradition?

A. Not at
all. I have to answer to God for what I teach, not to men. 1 Cor. 4:3,
"But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of
you, or of man's judgment."

Q. Where does the Bible clearly show of a
church voting to start another church?

A. Again,
a pattern of operation is present. We can clearly see the churches in
the book of Acts voting on church matters in Acts 1:26, "And they
gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was
numbered with the eleven apostles." This is a scriptural way of
finding the Lord's will about a matter, Prov. 16:33 "The lot is
cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD".
Also it fulfills our duty to do things orderly. 1Cor. 14: 40, "Let
all things be done decently and in order."

Q. Where does the Bible show any group of
believers as less than a true church?

A.
Believers at Antioch were not called a church until after Barnabas was
sent. (Acts 11)

Q. If this is so clear in the Bible, why
didn't more of our "great" Baptist forefathers see it?

A.1 Many of them never saw the truth about the "local" visible
church. How could they see it?

A.2 Some
of our Baptist forefathers did see it ...Paul, Barnabas, Peter, John,
Philip, etc...

Q. Why can't proper baptism be the
"link"?

A.1 If baptism were the proper "link", what would stop a
properly baptized, but also scripturally disciplined people from
leaving, and starting their own "church"? Acts 20:30,
"Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things,
to draw away disciples after them."

A.2 Proper
baptism is a result of a scriptural church, it cannot be the
"link" to start one.

Q. Doesn't the Bible teach of a purely
"vertical" transferal of power or authority?

A. Yes.
Once, in the empowerment of the Lord's Church in Acts 2. Then after that
we see the Lord leading in the "horizontal" efforts of the
church. Acts 8:14-17, "Now when the apostles which were at
Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent
unto them Peter and John: (15) Who, when they were come down, prayed for
them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (16) (For as yet he was
fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the
Lord Jesus.) (17) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received
the Holy Ghost". (Also in Acts 13, where we have already studied.)

Q. Where else in Scriptures do we see this
kind of "horizontal" transferal of power or authority?

A.1 In several places. All power and authority, including Governmental
authority comes only from God, Rom 13:1, "Let every soul be subject
unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers
that be are ordained of God". Even so we hold elections to place
people in office.

A.2
Marriage is another good illustration. We cannot simply live together,
rather we must go to someone that has the authority, to get married
properly. A.3 Probably the most obvious illustration is in man himself.
God created man, then from man He created the woman. It is clear to see
that all people come from people.

Q. Is it true, that if God chooses not to
"come down" and take up residence, there is no church?

A.
Absolutely! Eph. 2:22, "In whom ye also are builded together for an
habitation of God through the Spirit." This is why it is so
important to follow the biblical pattern!

Q. Is it wrong for an ordained preacher to
consider his ordination all the authority he needs, to baptize a group
in "prospect'' (meaning not into any church) then
"organize" them into a so called "church" at some
later date?

A. Yes
this is wrong! First, the preacher needs the authority from a true N.T.
church to scripturally baptize. Second, the Bible teaches that believers
are always baptized into a church. 1Cor.12:13 a "For by one Spirit
are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles."
This truth is also seen in Acts 2:41 , "Then they that gladly
received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto
them about three thousand souls".

Q. Doesn't the Bible teach, that where 2 or
3 are gathered in Christ's name, He will be with them?

A. If they
are truly gathered "in Christ's name", they will be following
biblical patterns!

Q. Can't we consider this just a matter of,
"individual soul liberty" like some other
"secondary" issues?

A. NO!
This is a foundational truth of our Lord's church. 1Cor. 3:11, "For
other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus
Christ". Without a scriptural beginning there is no church, just a
group of deceived people.

The following are some questions for those that believe it is
possible to start a church, apart from church authority, and true church
succession.

1) Why would some say that mission giving, baptism, the Lord's
Supper, discipline, etc. must be done only in and through the authority
of a local church, then go on to say that a new church can be
scripturally established apart from the authority of an existing local
church?

2) Concerning the "vertical authority only" theory: If our
churches have no tangible proof of who the other true churches are, such
as an organized church granting the authority to start new ones, how
will we ever guard against "alien immersion"? (Baptism outside
of like faith and order.) To say it another way, if we have no definite
way to start churches, we then have no definite way to know which ones
are true churches, this leaves us with no definite way to guard against
alien immersion. How then, will we keep our churches pure?

3) Will you go on doubting God and His ability to carry out His
promise to His church? Will you claim His promise to His church as your
very own, giving Him all the honor and glory in and through the church?
Will you see by faith, that through true church succession, His power
hasn't failed and will not fail?

I will conclude this article with these thoughts:

Eph 3:21, "Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus
throughout all ages, world without end. Amen." When we see a
pattern as clear as this one in God's Word, what right do we have to say
that there could be "other" ways? Beloved, let the Protestants
do things their own way, but let Independent Landmark Baptists start
churches the one scriptural way. By the authority of a properly
established church! It is truly high time that we put our actions where
our words are, and make the Bible our final rule for faith and practice!
If any say they see the biblical pattern and are still teaching others
that there are multiple ways to start a new church, I respectfully
submit that you are teaching men to go astray from the truth. That is
something that a person will have to answer to God for!

Beloved, the church is the pillar and ground of the truth (I Tim.
3:15). Let us always endeavor to operate the church within the biblical
guidelines set forth by the Word of God.